Technical and economic analysis of a micro grid including various renewable energy technologies for rural areas

This research explores the design, analysis, and optimization of an off-grid hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) to supply both thermal and electricity energy needs in rural regions of Türkiye. By leveraging regionally available renewable energy sources (RES) for example, wind, hydro, solar, and biomass, the proposed microgrid integrates advanced storage solutions, including battery storage systems (BSS) and hydrogen technologies, for efficient energy management. By employing HOMER Pro software, the research analyzes different configurations of RES components to optimize system performance, minimize costs, and assess environmental impacts. Key findings reveal that incorporating hydrogen storage and fuel cells enhances the system's sustainability by storing surplus energy and providing reliable power during peak demand periods. The optimal model, including of wind turbines (WT), photovoltaic (PV) panels, biomass gasification generators (BGG), and Archimedean screw turbines (AST), obtains a net present cost (NPC) of $152,622 and a levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of $0.133/kWh over 25 years, demonstrating its economic feasibility. Moreover, the hybrid system reduces CO2 emissions significantly, supporting global decarbonization goals. Sensitivity analyses highlight the system's robustness under varying solar irradiance and wind conditions, with increased renewable penetration lowering operational costs. The integration of combined heat and power (CHP) technologies further increases efficiency by capturing waste heat to meet thermal demands. The study underscores the capacity of HRES to deliver sustainable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly energy options for remote communities. Through the assessment of technical, environmental, and economic dimensions, this study provides an integrated framework for rural electrification and contributes to the transition toward renewable energy.